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Contents
frenzy definition
Overview
This page has 5 definitions of frenzy in English. Frenzy is a noun, an adjective and verb. Examples of how to use frenzy in a sentence are shown. Also define these 0 related words and terms: .
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English frensy, frenesie, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις (*phrénēsis), a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”): see frantic and frenetic.
Pronunciation
Noun
frenzy (countable and uncountable, plural frenzies)
- A state of wild activity or panic.
- She went into a cleaning frenzy to prepare for the unexpected guests.
- 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 170:
- It is during these frenzies that sharks have been known to bite everything in sight, including other sharks engaged in the same activity.
- A violent agitation of the mind approaching madness; rage.
- 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, OCLC 79426475, Act I, scene ii, page 1:
- All else is towering frenzy and distraction.
- c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act V, scene i]:
- The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
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Adjective
frenzy (comparative more frenzy, superlative most frenzy)
- (obsolete) Mad; frantic.
- 1678 John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress:
- They thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head.
- 1678 John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress:
Verb
frenzy (third-person singular simple present frenzies, present participle frenzying, simple past and past participle frenzied)
- (uncommon) To render frantic.
- (rare) To exhibit a frenzy, such as a feeding frenzy.
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- The fresh smell of salt air, the sound of the crashing swell, the soothing immersion in the water, the sight of dolphins playing and fish frenzying beneath my board.
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Further reading
- frenzy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- frenzy in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
- frenzy at OneLook Dictionary Search.